Think about the “future you.”
Do you ever stop to think about what you’ll be like in the next 10 or 20 years? What will you be doing? How will you feel? Where will you be living? If you haven’t, you should give it a try.
Several neurological studies have demonstrated that future self-visualization actually influences reality. When you imagine something, your brain records it as a memory (something you’ve done), whether or not it has actually occurred.
When you see your future self, you are training your brain to create a visualized reality, so when you do eventually experience it in real life, your brain believes you have already done it. As a result, you don’t fear, fret or worry. Instead, you embrace, embody and enjoy, like it was always meant to be.
I have used this technique in my life with much success. Here are my steps for positive self-visualization:
Zoom into your future reality- If you visualize yourself being a chef, first imagine the globe and zoom into the country where you’ll be cooking. Then, zoom into the city. What does the world look like around you- the buildings, the cars, the natural surroundings? Then, zoom into the home, restaurant or building where you’ll be working. How does it look architecturally? Old and historic? New and modern? Then, zoom into your kitchen. What does it look like? What color is the cabinetry, the counters, the floors…? Are there windows? Natural light? Are there lighting fixtures? Is there a wood burning stove or a modern industrial oven? Be as specific as possible and go with what comes to you, whatever feels right for you.
Watch yourself throughout a typical day, as if you were another person observing you- What does your morning routine look like? How is it different than it is now? Do you commute to your kitchen or is it in your home? What service do you provide- meal kits, meals to go, dine in, catering, sweet treats…? Do you place food orders or go shopping? Do you start food prepping right away or do you analyze your business? Here again, be as specific as possible from the time you wake up to the time your head hits the pillow.
Use all of your senses- Continuing with the visuals from our chef theme above, what type of cuisine do you smell? What does the food taste like coming out of your kitchen? Savory, sweet, certain flavor profiles? What are the textures around you- cold and smooth stone or warm and rustic butcher block? What do you hear- the clanking of pots and pans, people chatting as you cook, music, city buzz or crashing waves from your open windows?
Embody your future self- Now envision you as your future self. What are you wearing? Who are you with? How do you feel? Do you feel more confident? More resilient? More empowered? More energetic? More adventurous? More alive? Take a minute to really soak in how it feels to be you in the future.
Visualize often or write down and revisit- If you visualize even one time, it will be incredibly helpful, however if you do this regularly, it will be transformative. I like to write down what comes to me for steps 1-4 above and then remind myself of them by rereading them. You can revisit daily, weekly, monthly or whatever feels right for you. I find first thing in the morning or right before bed is the best time when your mind is more open and relaxed.
You can tweak your visualizations as you take in new information and grow over time. For instance, health and wellness became a big part of my visualizing a year or two ago, as I changed my eating habits, workouts and mindfulness practices. The idea of aging without limits became extremely important to me, and I was inspired by the women in my gym in their 50s, 60s, 70s and even 80s, who are living their best lives.
What you’ll find is that the more you visualize, the more you begin to make gradual subconscious changes in your life toward your visualized future self. And, guess what, it makes it more and more likely to achieve what you desire!
If you have kids, grandkids, godkids, nieces, nephews, mentees…, teach them this technique early and model it yourself. It will not only empower them to make their dreams come true; it will help them keep anxieties about their own future at bay. You can’t even imagine the world of difference it will make in their lives. Or, can you?